The Sports Informant

Sacramento Kings fans have another event to look forward to during NBA All-Star Weekend. The NBA announced that Kings rookie Tyreke Evans will join former Sacramento King Chris Webber and former Sacramento Monarch Nicole Powell for the 2010 Haier Shooting Stars competition Feb. 13.

Evans, who is already participating in the rookie-sophomore game over the NBA All-Star Weekend along with teammate Omri Casspi, will make a second appearance to represent Sacramento, with two players who shined in their careers in Sacramento before his entrance to the NBA.

Evans will join forces with the retired Webber and recently-let go Nicole Powell (currently a forward for the New York Liberty) the day before the All-Star game, in conjunction with NBA All-Star Saturday Night at American Airlines Center in Dallas.

The competition will showcase four teams consisting of three players each, featuring one current NBA player, one current WNBA player, and one on-air television analyst and legend.  Teams will be challenged by six numbered shooting locations of increasing difficulty, with each team attempting to make all required shots in numeric order in the fastest time.

The field includes Team L.A., consisting of three-time NBA All-Star Pau Gasol, three-time WNBA All-Star Marie Ferdinand-Harris of the Los Angeles Sparks, and NBA TV analyst Brent Barry, winner of the 1996 NBA Sprite Slam Dunk Contest.  Team Dallas features nine-time NBA All-Star Dirk Nowitzki, WNBA All-Star Becky Hammon of the San Antonio Silver Stars, and TNT analyst and former NBA champion Kenny Smith.  Team Atlanta rounds out the squads, featuring four-time NBA All-Star Joe Johnson, 2009 WNBA Rookie of the Year Angel McCougherty of the Atlanta Dream, and NBA TV analyst and former Atlanta Hawks NBA All-Star Steve Smith.       

Evans currently leads all rookies in scoring and ranks in the top-10 in most statistical categories among rookies, averaging 20.7 ppg (.461 FGs, .270 3pt, .795 FTs), 4.7 rpg, 5.0 apg, 1.54 spg, and 36.9 mpg in 43 games.  He was named NBA T-Mobile Western Conference Rookie of the Month for November and December.    

Webber finished his seven-season tenure with Sacramento as one the team’s all-time greats, ranking first in Sacramento-era history in rebounds, third in scoring, and second in field goals made.  His No. 4 jersey was retired by the organization during a halftime ceremony vs. Utah on February 6, 2009.

Powell played five seasons for the Sacramento Monarchs (2005-2009), highlighted by a 2005 WNBA Championship and selection to the 2009 WNBA All-Star team.